Lzh Dg Bu Pm 2 Pc 83Entering a Village at the Wrong Time
Pāli / Sanskrit:Vikālagāmappavisana
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THE SUTTA ON ENTERING A VILLAGE AT THE WRONG TIME
Background
The Vikālagāmappavisana Sutta (Entering a village at the wrong time) is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, specifically in the Pātimokkha — the basic code of discipline that bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs must practice. This sutta deals with a practical matter in communal practice life, relating to discipline in action and the duties of renunciants.
The Vinaya Piṭaka was compiled after the Buddha’s passing into nirvana, recording the instructions and precedents established to discipline the disciples. These regulations are not immutable abstractions, but arose from specific events, helping the Sangha maintain purity and order. The sutta on “entering a village at the wrong time” addresses a practical issue: the appropriate time for bhikkhus to leave the monastery and enter a village for alms or teaching the Dharma.
Main Content
According to the principle in the Vinaya Piṭaka, bhikkhus should not enter a village at sensitive times — especially too early, around dawn, or too late, late at night. These times easily arouse suspicion among ordinary people and may cause the image of the Sangha to be negatively affected.
The sutta prescribes that renunciants must be mindful of the proper time (kālagga) to interact with the outside world. This is not only a practical matter but also reflects a deeper teaching: a bhikkhu must carefully protect the honor of the Teaching, not allowing improper situations to create opportunities for baseless criticism.
If a bhikkhu enters a village at an improper time without a legitimate reason (aparihāraṇīya — unavoidable), he has violated the regulation and must confess (pāṭidesanīya), that is, openly acknowledge the fault before the Sangha or before a monk.
Practical Meaning
The Vikālagāmappavisana Sutta teaches that practice is not only training the mind but also careful and wise consideration of each action.
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